Kindle fans in the US can now check out a Kindle book from their local libraries and read it on any generation Kindle device or free Kindle reading app.

Amazon announced its plan for Kindle Library lending in April and six months down the line it has happened and over 11,000 libraries across the US now offer loans of Kindle titles.

OverDrive, the main e-book distributor for libraries in the US is responsible for the digital rights management and lending. Each library participating in the scheme will be able to set loan period and borrowers will need a valid library card. Delivery can either be via Whispernet, Amazon’s wireless system (though only using WiFi, not 3G), or via a USB connection.

One thing Kindle users will be able to do, that other borrowers cannot, is to add annotations while they read. If they subsequently purchase the ebook, or borrow it again the notes and bookmarks will be pulled over automatically.

The normal restriction that a book can only be loaned to one customer at a time will apply but extending e-book loans to Kindle users, in addition to those using Sony's Readers and Barnes & Noble's nook who already have this facility, seem to be good for libraries as well as for e-books.